DEVELOPMENT OF PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT IN YUNNAN UNIVERSITIES

Abstract

Performance management has become an important part of university governance as higher education institutions face growing expectations for teaching quality, research productivity, and social contribution. In China, higher education reforms have encouraged universities to adopt performance-oriented management systems to improve accountability and institutional development. Although many studies have discussed performance management in Chinese universities, relatively few have focused on universities in Yunnan Province. This paper reviews the existing literature on performance management in higher education, with particular attention to research conducted in China and its implications for Yunnan universities. The review first explains the concept and development of performance management, followed by a discussion of its application in higher education institutions. It then summarizes major research themes, including faculty evaluation, research assessment, incentive mechanisms, and organizational performance. Finally, the paper examines the main challenges faced by universities in Yunnan, such as limited research resources, regional disparities, and the need to balance teaching, research, and social service. Based on the reviewed studies, several research gaps are identified, including the lack of comprehensive studies on performance management systems in Yunnan universities and the limited use of mixed research methods. This review provides a theoretical foundation for future empirical studies and offers practical insights for university administrators seeking to improve performance management practices in less-developed regions of China.